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The thing about Italian food is that when it’s good, it is so good. I’ve been hearing about Acqua al 2 for months and I’ve walked by it twice a day, every day since July. Finally, I found an occasion (and the funds – thanks, Dad) to make a reservation.

Walking in, I was surprised. The seating area is large and that is something that normally goes against all of my principles when it comes to eating Italian. All of the back-end alley restaurants and family-owned trattorias that I frequented in Italy had limited seating. Never mind. First impressions aren’t always to be trusted.

The second I saw the unsalted bread placed on the table I knew we were in for a treat. Only a proper Florentine restaurant would serve unsalted bread to Americans.

We were seated with a clear view of the kitchen, which I love. We could see the meat searing on the grill and the pasta coming straight out of the pan. We started with the salad sampler. Arugula lightly dressed in olive oil (the good stuff) and balsamic, tossed with cherry tomatoes and walnuts. Melt in your mouth mozzarella bufala accompanied by tomatoes. Finally, a shaved fennel salad. I have never been a fan of fennel, but this, tossed with pine nuts and radish, was by far my favorite.

The pasta sampler arrived next. Five small plates were more than enough and were an excellent representation of the menu. First, we shared fusilli in a creamy spinach sauce. Next, a penne in a creamy red sauce with roasted red pepper. My favorite was the farfalle with porcini mushrooms in a delicious, buttery sauce. It was rich, it was exquisite and the tasting portion was just right. The gnocchi were like pillows; smothered in a mascarpone sauce with radish, which, at first odd, was a perfect juxtaposition. Finally, a longer fusilli in a spicy tomato sauce. The pasta was cooked truly al dente; done the right way, it had a bite and did not disappear on contact.

How could we possibly also have the steak? Oh, right, because there is always room for steak. We opted for the tasting platter again. A New York strip, so simple with hints of peppercorn and dijon mustard. A filet mignon, which I heard is the house favorite, in a blueberry reduction sauce. I loved the filet heavily drizzled in a balsamic reduction. It was crispy and sweet and melted in your mouth.